What Do People Say When They Become “Future People”??Positioning Imaginary Future Generations (IFGs) in General Rules for Good Decision-Making

Toshiaki Hiromitsu, Yoko Kitakaji, Keishiro Hara and Tatsuyoshi Saijo ()
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Toshiaki Hiromitsu: Policy Research Institute, Ministry of Finance, Tokyo 100-8440, Japan
Yoko Kitakaji: Research Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 739-8524, Japan
Keishiro Hara: Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 12, 1-27

Abstract: In public decisions with long-term implications, decisions of the present generation will affect long-term welfare, including future generations. However, only the present generation is able to participate in such decision-making processes. In this study, we invited “Imaginary Future Generations” (IFGs), as participants in a discussion who take on the role of members of future generations to argue on behalf of their future interests to engage in present-day deliberations among residents of a Japanese town. Through analysis, it was seen that the deliberations among IFGs rose interest in issues that are related to common fundamental needs across generations. While the cognitive aspects of interpersonal reactivity, which measure the reactions of one individual to the observed experiences of another, were seen as useful in arguing for the interests of future generations, it was suggested that the environment for deliberation had a significant impact on the ability to effectively take on the role of members of future generations. Finally, this paper positioned IFGs within the broad context of general rules for good decision-making, based on an analysis of these deliberations and in light of philosophical arguments such as the veil of ignorance by John Rawls.

Keywords: Future Design; Imaginary Future Generations; deliberations; general rules for good decision-making (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Related works:
Working Paper: What Do People Say When They become "Future People"? - Positioning Imaginary Future Generations (IFGs) in General Rules for Good Decision Making (2020)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:12:p:6631-:d:572541

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